Israeli Jews to Diaspora: Think of Us When You Vote
There’s a truly fascinating new poll out on Israel-Diaspora relations, which shows that among adult Israeli Jews:
• 57% believe that American organizations that lobby the US government in support of pro-Israel policies should always support the policies of the current Israeli government while 32% said that such organizations are free to openly oppose the policies of the current Israeli government.
• 46% believe that American Jewish organizations are not doing enough to bridge policy differences and ease the tensions between the Obama administration and the Netanyahu government. Only 23% say the organizations are doing enough on this front.
• Almost two-thirds of respondents support using their tax money to provide basic services like education, healthcare and food to Diaspora Jewish communities that are struggling in light of the recent global economic situation. The younger the people surveyed the more likely they were to agree with this idea — among youngest age bracket polled, 18–24, support stood at 73%.
• 44% support the State of Israel recognizing Reform and Conservative conversion while 49% insist that only conversions performed by the Chief Rabbinate should be recognized by the state.
• Around half think that Diaspora Jews should think of Israel when voting, and around 40% thought Israelis should think of the Diaspora when voting.
The poll was commissioned by the B’nai B’rith World Center in Jerusalem, B’nai B’rith International’s public affairs arm in Israel. It was conducted by Keevoon Research.
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